Music and Balloon Fest set to celebrate Independence Day

NORWICH – A day of music and family fun is set for Chenango County as the first annual 4th of July Music and Balloon Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.

With live musical performances throughout the day, along with different food and crafts vendors, contests, a cruise-in, helicopter rides, and of course, hot air balloon rides throughout the afternoon, this event promises something for everyone, say coordinators Rick Stark and Debbie Bowers.

Musical performances kick-off at 11:30 a.m., when the country rock group Honey Struck takes center stage, followed by the country music styles of Sundown, from 1-2:30 p.m. After that, it will be the sounds of old-time favorites played by the Round House Rockers from 2:30-4 p.m., and Frank Sinatra and friends impersonator Ron Leone performs from 5-6 p.m. It’s back to country music from 6-7:30 p.m. as the Jason Wicks Band performs; and the evening winds down with a performance form this year’s headliner, Ruby Shooz, rocking the golden oldies from 7:30-9 p.m.